UTSA has another reason to be thankful about joining Conference USA next year.

Unless the teams meet in the Western Athletic Conference tournament next month, the Roadrunners don't have to worry about facing Denver anymore.

After blowing out UTSA in the first meeting, the Pioneers proved equally tough on the Roadrunners' home court, cruising to a 71-57 victory Thursday night at the Convocation Center.

Denver (12-8, 8-2), moving to the Summit League after this season, hit 14 3-pointers and led by as many as 40 points in a 75-50 trouncing of UTSA on Jan. 6. The Pioneers didn't reach that long-range total this time, but they still made 12 threes, with eight coming in the first half.

“Defensively, (Denver) is a matchup nightmare for us,” UTSA coach Brooks Thompson said. “They're tough to guard and they pass really well. You don't see them dribbling much. If they do it's for a purpose.

“They're strong on defense. They don't let you get into the paint. They make you take uncontested jump shots. If you don't make them you're in trouble.”

UTSA (5-15, 1-9) never got into a rhythm, falling behind by 28 points.

The Roadrunners — led by Kannon Burrage (19 points) and Larry Wilkins (15 points) — ended the game on an 11-0 run, but by then Denver was in control.

Olson scored 13 points and hit three of his four treys in the first half as the Pioneers took a 39-19 halftime lead.

Patience was key to Denver's success, as 20 assists kept it clicking.

“We just play together,” Griffin said. “We have very good passers. We know if we pass the ball we can be successful, because we have a lot of good shooters.”

The Roadrunners hope they find some kind of spark Saturday against second-place New Mexico State, which has the same league record as Denver.

“We have our work cut out for us,” Thompson said. “We go from a team that has no true center to a team that is huge. This is a tough week. We're playing two good teams. We have to step it up and be good, too.”